Distraction: Chapter Nine

The wrap around my face wasn't just suitable for a disguise. When I arrived in Mos Espa on Tatooine, a storm was approaching. Any exposed skin was painfully peppered with sand. Like the others, I quickly made my way into the city to find shelter, and ducked inside the first cantina I saw. I hadn't attempted to seek the Force's guidance on where to go or what to do once I got here. No longer was the Force guiding me. I couldn't get a reading of it either as a Sith or a Jedi. Just like me, it apparently was waiting to see which side I was going to take.

I had done a lot of thinking during the long voyage and had decided Fate would decide my path. I would read the signs as I went, and whatever felt right, that's what I would do. Regardless of whether it was bad or good, of the Light or the Dark. I was here for answers. I had to find out who exactly I was, why I looked like Kenobi, and why I was being haunted by a beautiful woman.

I assumed she was dead. How else would she be haunting me? But like the Force, she too had abandoned me. I hadn't heard a word nor had a dream about her since that disaster on Ryloth.

What I needed now was a strong drink to wash the sand out of my mouth. I found a seat in the back corner and waved toward the barkeep, who sent over a Toydarian. I groaned under my breath. They were a notoriously rude species and frankly, I wasn't in the mood to deal with one of them.

"What'll it be?" the winged creature asked bluntly.

"I'll have a beer. Make it two," I ordered, tossing the required credits onto the table.

"Jawa or Huttese?"

"Whichever's the strongest," I decided. I needed something to clear my throat as well as my head. "And here's an extra ten. I need some information."

The Toydarian scratched his sparsely whiskered chin thoughtfully. "Information I've got, but it'll cost you more than that."

Another reason why I disliked the entire species. They were a greedy lot. "How much more?"

"How much do you have?"

I'd heard enough and tried to summon the Force. It was worth a shot. I aimed my influence into the creature's mind and spoke the words: "You will give me what I ask, for the price I offer."

All I received for my efforts was a throaty chuckle. "You're not the first one to try that on me. Why a big fella came into my shop once and tried that. It didn't work for him either. Are you one of those as well? Are you a Jedi too? If you are, I'm not helping you! That big one robbed me blind! Ruined me! I lost everything and now have to work in this dung heap!"

His voice was so loud it carried to surrounding patrons who turned to eye me carefully and cautiously.

"Of course not!" I responded just as loudly before lowering my voice and leveling my gaze on the flying rodent. "Listen you. I'm here looking for a Jedi and I need some information on where to find him! Here! This is all I have!" I slapped a handful of credits onto the table and watched the creature's eyes widen with greed.

"You seek the Lost Jedi then. You're not the first. Many have gone out but none ever come back. What do I care? As long as I get paid, that's all that matters."

The waiter scooped up the pile of credits and deposited them into his dirty apron pouch. At least this time, he spoke with lower volume. "Take a speeder out of the city past the dune sea. Along the far southern ridge you'll find your Lost Jedi. Good luck."

"I don't believe in luck," I informed him.

"That's what they've all said," the little creature tossed over his shoulder as he flew off to retrieve my drinks.

I quickly opened and closed the shutter over the small window next to my seat in order to check the skies. It had grown dark with the sand blocking the light of the double suns, and from the looks of it, the storm would be sticking around for a little while at least. I had more than enough time to enjoy my refreshment before heading out.

I was halfway finished with my first glass that tasted more like piss than beer, when a fellow sitting close by finally got up the nerve to approach my table.

"Betah's the name. I overheard your conversation earlier. Going after that Jedi, are you? Hope you have a good blaster with you. I hear that little guy is tougher than bantha steak. He's bested at least three bounty hunters that I know of. You'll be here a while before the storm lets up. Do you like to gamble? Care for a game?"

I had an immediate dislike for this human. He talked too much. "Afraid I'm all out of credits," I told him before taking a long drink of the disgusting ale.

"I can spot you a few. How about it?"

His eyes were reddened from too much spice use and his hands were shaking. He was obviously an addict though probably a decent gambler. I really wish I had more money because I'd sure like to teach him a lesson.

"No thanks," I told him before rising from my seat. The storm was still raging outside, but I couldn't put up with all this camaraderie much longer.

"Hey, you can't go out there yet! You'll get lost!" he called out after me.

I wrapped my cloak more snugly around my frame and pulled the hood down further before stepping out into the storm. The man was probably right, but I was willing to take my chances.